The Irish Examiner View Criticism of dancer tars Irish-America

Ever since Riverdance emerged in 1994, Irish dancing has enjoyed a global audience and an international stature like never before. But, as revealed this week, there are also cultural bigots who believe that it should be confined to the Irish or those of Irish descent. That’s a bit like saying that only Austrian musicians should be allowed play Mozart or only English people should act in a Shakespearean drama.

Morgan Bullock, a 20 year old student from Richmond, Virginia in the United States, posted her Irish dancing routine on TikTok and Instagram at the weekend and it quickly went viral, prompting tens of thousands to comment favourably on her remarkable skill and grace.